Sunday, November 27, 2011

The other day I got a message from a friend saying that she would love to pass on an award that is given to blogs that have less than 200 followers to (in my words) encourage each other to keep on writing!!!

My friends name is Laura Barnes. A woman who has an incredibly big heart. She is a kindergarten teacher, and the love for her students and passion for children is written all over her shining face. :) If you couldn't all ready tell by her full home of four lovely boys. Laura's blog is simple and encouraging and worth checking out for a good giggle at the adorable things her students say, the great craft ideas and inspiring moments.

One of the conditions of my receiving this award is that I present it to other bloggers of my choosing.

Two that came to mind instantly, have inspired me through their blog and are also friends dear to my heart.

The first one is Taigan Bombay. I have known her for almost 6years, although most of that time it has been through a long distance friendship. The one thing that I absolutely LOVE about Taigan is that her love for God is raw, real and tangible. She doesn't pretend to be someone she is not and never has. Through that God has used her to encourage me time and time again. Including in starting a blog myself in the first place. For that and many more reasons, I honour her for her openness to write about her own incredible journey to grow in maturity and depth with God. Be encouraged with her blog.

The second person or blog that I would LOVE to mention is a woman with incredible depth. She writes with amazing conviction of her heritage and discovering more and more who she is and who God says she is. I have known Fanis since high school and the one thing that she has shown is her consistent love for God. A beautiful woman. Enjoy her journey.

Taking a trip back through the trail of this "award" I came across this verse that another amazing blog had posted as encouragement to fellow bloggers. (http://martasponderings.wordpress.com/) Also worth checking out.

“Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen”. 1 Peter 4:9-11

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Sept.21st. we moved into our new home. We painted it with all the colours that thrill me and bring a feeling of homey comfort. We spent time filling it with pillows that were from dear friends, curtains that contain incredible memories, words that speak blessing over the home and pictures of the years of my girls and the man I love. Most corners are adorned with pretty things that make me smile and remind me of those who are living life with us. I am amazed. We have family that have been with us through thick and thin. Relationships that encourage and challenge and that have hearts to see us continue to be launched forward. We have a church that feeds our spirit and encourages us with the example and the direction on how to live a Godly prospering life.

Today, I was cleaning my bathroom, and I had a revelation. I suddenly became aware of how incredible God is... I know... crazy in the bathroom... washing my floors. Let me back up...

Our first few years of marriage... were at many moments full of bliss... I was married to the man of my dreams and we were filling our lives full of little bundles of pink. But we were struggling. We were going through years of lack. The desperation I felt in my life to be connected to God was as distant as the next few dollars that we needed to buy a loaf of bread. We were making poor decisions, filing our lives with crappy movies, music that burdened the soul. We were forgetting where to find peace. I had settled into the agreement that life will always have hardship and we will always struggle. Then God settled a verse into my hand as out of desperation I poured my heart over His word.

James 1:2-4 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

We were definitely being tested and royally failing at that time. We were relying on our own understanding and will. We found ourselves at a crossroads. We had almost hit the bottom. I had a husband that worked hours and hours away from home days on end, we were dis-unified, I was very pregnant and we had a one year old looking at us to lead her and teach her and we only had pennies and dimes collected that we had found under the cushions of the couch to buy a carton of eggs, bread and milk for the week. We were living in a home that had such an angle on the floor that many things disappeared into the corner including our crawling baby, and it didn't matter how hard and long I cleaned, the film of grit, dirt and rust could never be removed and hidden. We were trying and trying and trying. We were not at peace.

We were broken.

Our family needed God.

We made a decision.

Lord let us learn the best lessons, put us through what we need to go through to get the best results and the most growth. So that we may grow and mature. For not just our sake but for the sake of our children and for those who are in our lives.

We were desperate to change to see God move in our lives.

Within months of us giving our hearts and our wills back to God. We saw him move drastically in our lives. We saw favor in Adam's work. We learned to become better stewards of our money. Of our time. We removed an incredible amount of crap from our lives and what we were letting into our minds and spirits. We put the worship music back on. We allowed those in our lives to challenge our thinking.

... although it only took months to see changes... we have been through years of removing and breaking free of the crud. I know we are only starting to grasp all that God has for us. I still at times have a hard time believing it is all real. Material things like a house, curtains, pillows, the list goes on is just that... things. But as I look around I see Gods incredible faithfulness.... our laying down our pride. Embracing the trials.

Life will continue to throw it's curve balls. But something I am gaining incredible revelation on is... that God wants to bless us in the areas where we can make a difference in others lives. If it is within your home. Believe for it... if it's in that perfect job. He desires to give it to you with lavishing loving arms. If it is with many little foot steps running around your feet giggling...

howmuchmore will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:11

Be encouraged today. Be encouraged to live a life humbled and open to God to show you where you can learn and grown. Be encourage to pray against the agreement that life will always be filled with lack. Be encouraged to pray for the path that brings favor and revelation to your calling.

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My Friends

My Passion

Well to start I am 29 years old and I love life. I love the fact that is it so unpredictable but that I have a choice as to how I handle each and every life experience. I love having faith. Faith in a God that I can't see but feel almost every moment of every day. I love that I am married to the man of my dreams.. heading on 10years April 12th. He's amazing. I love that he's always by my side supporting me. I love that he's wise, funny, and has a wonderful boyish charm about him. I am also a mommy of five. I love my five beautiful amazing girls. Leanna Harmony (8), Cadence Victoria (7), Rayne Symphony (6), Kassia Lyric (5)and Shaylee Carmen (2). I love being a mom. But I also know it can be soooo hard sometimes. Life is not perfect but it can be a blast. So here I am following the trend of bloggers. Why? Because I love writing and because... I would love to write about the challenges and excitement of being a woman. Raw and real. I hope this blog encourages you ladies out there to embrace who God has made you. We are all at different stages of life but we all have one thing in common. We are all BEAUTIFUL PASSIONATE WOMEN!